SURVEY | POLLS | BUKIDNON NEWS | MANOLO FORTICH – It’s been the buzz since last year. Last month, after months of speculation, reports stated that Former Bukidnon First District Congressman and losing Liberal Party senatorial candidate Neric Acosta (or Juan Romeo Nereus Acosta) said he had accepted the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary post. That meant that he will soon replace sitting DENR Secretary Ramon Paje.

Now the big question in everyone’s mind is — should Neric Acosta be appointed as DENR secretary?

You may all recall that a case was filed against Acosta, his mother Socorro Acosta, and aunt Nemia Bornidor for alleged violations of the provisions of Republic Act 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act), as amended, and RA 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials).

The case is docketed as “Fr. Venancio Balansag, Jr., Et. Al, vs. Cong. Nereus Acosta, Et. Al.”

Balansag lists the Bishop’s House in Malaybalay City as his address. His fellow complainant, Felix Vergara Jr., of Maramag, Bukidnon is a member of the board of the First Bukidnon Electric Cooperative.

In a lot of interviews, the Acosta camp even questioned the motives of both Balansag and Vergara. Balansag is the brother of incumbent Malaybalay City Mayor Inaki Zubiri’s wife. The said mayor is the cousin of Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, who, coincidentally recently issued an appeal to President Noynoy Aquino on the appointment of cabinet secretaries.

BukidnonOnline.com also has a copy of Neric Acosta’s statement on the alleged smear campaign against him.

So going back to the million dollar question — should PNoy appoint Acosta as DENR Secretary?

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